England take on Italy on Saturday night - or should that read ‘Merseyside’ take on Italy?

For of Roy Hodgson’s possible starters in Manaus, eight will have Merseyside connections.

There is the five-strong Liverpool contingent of skipper Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Glen Johnson, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge. Everton are represented by Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka, while Scouser Wayne Rooney is set to lead the attack.

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Mersey men: Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge are three of Liverpool's six players in the England squad

Mersey men: Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge are three of Liverpool's six players in the England squad

New boy: Raheem Sterling is the youngest member of the Liverpool squad in the England camp

Factor in Everton’s Ross Barkley and Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert among the substitutes – not to mention Adam Lallana’s proposed move to Anfield – and the Merseyside tie becomes even stronger.

Indeed, of Hodgson’s likely XI, only Chelsea’s Gary Cahill plies his trade outside of the North West.

The post-war record for the number of players from one club in an England starting line-up is six. That came during Ron Greenwood’s first match in charge in September, 1977.

It was a sextet from Liverpool who took to the field for the goalless draw with Switzerland at Wembley; Ray Clemence, Phil Neal, Terry McDermott, Emlyn Hughes, Ray Kennedy and Ian Callaghan the Reds on show.

There were seven players from Manchester United on the pitch during the closing stages of a 3-1 win in Albania in 2001. Starting were Gary Neville, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Andy Cole, while Wes Brown and Teddy Sheringham were introduced as substitutes.

But it would be no surprise to see the lads from Liverpool set a new World Cup record over the coming fortnight.

Connection: Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard are team-mates for club and country

Mersey man: England manager Roy Hodgson had a short spell as Liverpool manager